Ya know, I've won a lot of comps, cool trophies, plaques, etc... but none are as meaningful to me as this one. Mike Verzuh, the 2010 US F3J team manager, awarded this to me at this past competition in Phoenix. It's basically a performance recognition award for this past world championship win - something I actually get to keep. (We have to give the World Champ trophy back at the next world champs - it''s perpetual).

Thanks to the US team, FAI, AMA, LSF, and all the glider guiders and supporters out there. It's been a great ride - I've been places, seen things, made friends, that I never would have experienced without soaring.

Thank you to you all - it's been a great ride!!!

J in the Desert

Well, looks like F3J is gaining popularity in the states. J in the Desert filled up in the first 5 hours after opening registration last year. The comp was this weekend, and came off REALLY well, was a ton of fun, rewarded short tows and smart flying, and early morning 15's took a toll on some top flyers with the "wrong" model.

On a personal note - I flew my ass off. I dropped all of 0.58 points out of 9000. (My throwout was a 997.xx) Hit 5 out of 10 100's in some turbulent and tough landing conditions. I made a few mistakes, but was able to fly my way out of them with some spectacular low level saves. On one occasion, after a one second tow in the wind, I went way downwind... but chickened out, and didn't get all the way to the thermal, so had to come back through the schmeg (technical term), only to work a thermal just on the other side of the treeline, BELOW the treeline. The thermal was completely chopped up by the treeline. Had to climb enough (in LOUSY air) to get over the trees to a very slightly stronger and less chopped up thermal, all at about 15 feet with 7 or so minutes to go.... I don't think I was over 100 ft at any point during the entire flight.... While everybody finds low level saves spectacular, I consider this flight a failure. I exercised bad judgement, and I'm never happy when I have to save my ass low level. But pulling it off was damn cool... ;-)

After the intensity of the J comp, the SWC was completely anti-climactic. It's nice to see the quick growth and enthusiasm for the much more fun J format. (Over US yawn style TD)

The planes showing the most promise - Icon 2, Aspire, Exploder 4000. I don't believe there is a perfect all around plane. You need a quick tow model for flyoffs, an all around model for longer but slightly quick tows, and a model for the very early morning flights (span span span/light light light)

GO J!!!!!!!!

D

RES??? Holy Crap!!!

Ok... now I've gone and done it... Picked up an AVA Pro. The craftsmanship on this thing is just unbelievable. Very nicely done - Kudos to Barry and Vladimir. Should have it built by the end of the weekend... flight reports soon.

D

Let's hope 2011 gets better

Well, it's been a tough year for all of us. Well... at least for me. I apologize for not updating my site, or keeping up to date on my blogging. I had all kinds of personal drama, work drama, and even toy airplane drama... I want to say that, things are looking up for 2011. I've got some business opportunities that are showing some promise. I've got interested parties in a few of my newer model designs. Can't talk about them yet, but they're cool. And there is even renewed interest in getting the Stalker completed. It's amazing what happens when you win a little contest...

Happy Holidays to all of you!!! Wishing you the best in 2011!!!

D

Merry Christmas ...and new stuff....

Well guys, I have to apologize I've been so quiet, but this real job thing really gets in the way. So many great and new things since I last posted - the Icon 2 is simply amazing. And the SD10G - Wow!!!!!!!!!! The US team is pretty talented this cycle. Look for a podium finish out of the team. The Junior team - Brendan is almost too good. Connor and Mikey will back him up well. Again, look for a podium or gold out of these kids.

I've been spending some time on the I2. It's so stable, my tendency is to get it too slow to really shove the nose over on landing (the necessary abusive stick without a skeg), that I've been doing some things I really don't believe in. In an effort to have more authority when slow, I've put a bit of expo in the model in pitch, and CRANKED UP the throw. It still feels the same around center, but at the end of my stick movement I've got so much more authority. I'm already landing better after only 1 short session. I would never do this for a slope racer, or for F3B, but for a steer and stab contest.... it allows me to get the model slower on approach, and still be able to stick it. J is all about the landing these days....

The word is in from Barry - there will be no Stalker. I'm pretty angry, and upset about it. It cost me a lot of hard cash to get the CAD work done, not to mention the 4 or 5 years of development time. I don't know if I can improve on the design, I REALLY believe in that model, but I will have something new soon. It will be different - maybe better, but certainly no worse. And I can't use the name. Too bad, Stalker's such a great name for a DP model.

Who's got an idea for a name? It has to have attitude. I'm leaning towards Diablo. But I'm not sold on it. I like having an "S" in the name. In that case, Satan works... but might put some people off. Let me know if you have any ideas - post them here, or send them to my email. Dp@darylperkins.com .

Have a safe and sane New Years. You guys be safe....

Real job/Real airplane

As most of you know, I'm a real pilot. My new job will allow me to fly their plane to and from some of our various offices. The great thing is... I get to pick the plane. I've been working on the owner, and since I am a long time fan of Lancairs, used to own one, and since he rode in mine a few years ago.... we are now looking at IV-P's.

Can you say 280 KTAS???? I knew that ya could...

That'll take some time off my trip to Muncie... ;-)

Stalker news

I had a long chat with Barry. I am very happy to announce that the Stalker will happen. He and I had a mis-communication that has since been addressed. I do apologize for the wait, some things are just out of our control.

In the meantime, I will be campaigning the Icon 2 from Don Peters/Maple Leaf design. Ya just gotta love span!!!